Minister of State for Education, Technical Education, Culture, Tourism, Horticulture, Floriculture and Park, Ms Priya Sethi today said that State has a huge potential in horticulture production that needs good marketing.The Minister expressed the views while chairing a high level review meeting of horticulture works in district Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.“Helping the State farmers to export their production would not only help in making them financial empowered, but the move would also serve beneficial for State’s economy,” Ms Priya said.During a detailed review, the Minister directed the officers to make serious efforts on production, harvesting and marketing of the crop in the districts.She directed the officers for conducting awareness camps for farmers to train them in using latest technology for proper marketing of their produce.
During the meeting, Ms Priya was informed about Doda’s horticultural potential, and the work of Doda Mandi that stands completed and will be functional by the end of the month. The meeting was informed that the Mandi will benefit the farmers to market their crops in easy and efficient manner.The Minister directed the technical officers to take efforts for increasing local production rather than importing.“In future our own state should export the high quality plants to the rest of the world,” she stressed.The Minister further directed the officers to provide high quality packaging material and machinery in three districts.MLA Baderwah, Daleep Singh Parihar, MLA Doda Shakti Raj Parihar, Commissioner Secretary Horticulture, Officers from planning and marketing and other officers from concerned departments were present in the meeting.